Rafael Leao is one of the important players for Stefano Pioli this season as he has been able to show more maturity and strength.
The Portuguese winger is deemed highly by the Rossoneri fans and management as they appreciate his talent and skillset. That is why he will be one of the key players in the Derby della Madonnina tomorrow:
"The Derby? I remember the one I won with my assist to Ibrahimovic, too bad there was no audience there. We want to win in front of the fans. A derby is a derby, winning it is important", he said to La Repubblica.
The former Lille and Sporting Lisbon star represents a great attacking force with Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"Ibra? He is like an older brother to me. I am always close to him. He knows I can make a difference with my feet, but he shows me that the important thing is the head. My points of reference? Pioli because he is a demanding coach. Paolo Maldini is an idol", says Leao, "Maldini speaks with simplicity while Ibrahimovic is an example for the past and the present. Age is only a number for him."
Leao continued:
"Our style of play has the sense of freedom that the coach teaches us. You are young but mature on the pitch, he tells us to enjoy our youth but honor this shirt. I feel the confidence of the teammates who give me the ball, I dribble to find myself in front of the goal and give the assist or score a goal. Am I predestined? God gave me talent, the rarest thing. But then there are the sacrifices, the hard work. You don't play football alone. The talent is there to be cultivated. In Milan, I'm showing what I can do."
